The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing myasthenia gravis in a subject, by determining an amount of at least one autoantibody that specifically binds one or more autoantigens selected from heat-shock protein 60 (hsp60), heat-shock protein 90, alpha isoform (hsp90.alpha.), and heat-shock protein 90, beta isoform (hsp90.beta.). The invention also provides diagnostic kits for identifying a subject having myasthenia gravis.

Claim:

What is claimed is:

1. A method of diagnosing myasthenia gravis in a subject suspected of having myasthenia gravis, the method comprising: (a) determining if the subject has one or more clinicalsymptoms associated with myasthenia gravis; (b) obtaining a biological sample from the subject; and (c) detecting the amount of Hsp60 autoantibodies or Hsp90 autoantibodies or of both in the biological sample, wherein said Hsp60 autoantibodiesspecifically bind heat-shock protein 60 (hsp60) (SEQ ID NO: 1), and said Hsp90 autoantibodies specifically bind heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90), wherein the Hsp90 is Hsp90, alpha isoform (Hsp90.alpha.)(SEQ ID NO:2), or Hsp90, beta isoform (Hsp90.beta.)(SEQID NO: 3), or both; (d) diagnosing whether the subject has myasthenia gravis by comparing the amount of Hsp60 autoantibodies or Hsp90 autoantibodies or of both in said sample to a cutoff value for each type of autoantibody, wherein the cutoff value foreach type of autoantibody is determined from a number of individuals who do not have myasthenia gravis; and wherein the presence of at least one of said Hsp60 and Hsp90 autoantibodies in the biological sample above the cutoff indicates the subject hasmyasthenia gravis.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said clinical symptoms are one or more of the following: ocular ptosis; diplopia; difficulty chewing, talking, swallowing, or breathing; chronic muscle fatigue or weakness; thymic atrophy; thymoma; andthymic hyperplasia.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the autoantibodies are detected by one or more methods selected from: (a) Western blot; and (b) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the subject is a mammal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the mammal is a human.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the mammal is a rodent.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the rodent is a mouse.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the rodent is a rat.

10. A method of diagnosing myasthenia gravis in a subject suspected of having myasthenia gravis, the method comprising: (a) determining if the subject has one or more clinical symptoms associated with myasthenia gravis; (b) obtaining abiological sample from the subject; and (c) detecting the amount of (i) at least one of Hsp60 autoantibodies and Hsp90 autoantibodies and (ii) AchR autoantibodies in the biological sample, wherein said Hsp60 autoantibodies specifically bind heat-shockprotein 60 (hsp60) (SEQ ID NO:1) said Hsp90 autoantibodies specifically bind heat-shock protein 90 (hsp90), wherein the Hsp90 is Hsp90.alpha. (SEQ ID NO:2), or Hsp90.beta. (SEQ ID NO:3), or both; and said AchR autoantibodies specifically bindnicotinic acetyicholine receptor (Ach R); and (d) diagnosing whether the subject has myasthenia gravis by comparing the amount of (i) at least one of Hsp60 autoantibodies and Hsp90 autoantibodies and (ii) AchR autoantibodies in said sample to a cutoffvalue for each type of autoantibody, wherein the cutoff value for each type of autoantibody is determined from a number of individuals who do not have myasthenia gravis; and wherein the presence of (i) at least one of Hsp60 autoantibodies and Hsp90autoantibodies and (ii) AchR autoantibodies in the biological sample above the cutoff indicates the subject has myasthenia gravis.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said clinical symptoms are one or more of the following: ocular ptosis; diplopia; difficulty chewing, talking, swallowing, or breathing; chronic muscle fatigue or weakness; thymic atrophy; thymoma; andthymic hyperplasia.

Description:

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the field of immunology, including the development of immunological tolerance, and the pathology of autoimmune disorders. The invention generally relates to improved methods of diagnosing the organ-specific autoimmunedisease myasthenia gravis.

2. Background of the Invention

Autoimmune diseases result from aberrant immune cell function or activity which causes inappropriately activated T cells to react against self tissue, thereby triggering production of cytokines and/or autoantibodies responsible for diseaseetiology and progression. COTRAN ET AL., PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 211-212 (6th ed. 1999); Scofield, "Autoantibodies as predictors of disease," Lancet 363:1544-1546 (2004). Autoimmunity indicates a loss of self-tolerance, though the mechanisms bywhich this occurs are not fully understood. Id. Autoimmune disorders may be systemic, affecting multiple organs or tissues, or localized, affecting a single organ, organ system or tissue. Id.

A hallmark of autoimmune disease is the production of high affinity autoantibodies directed against self proteins. Robinson et al., "Autoantigen microarrays for multiplex characterization of autoantibody responses," Nature Med. 8(3):295-301(2002). Some autoantibodies are known or strongly suspected to be involved in the development of cell and tissue damage associated with a particular disease, but for most, neither the pathogenic role nor the relationship to the underlying etiology ofdisease is known. Id. Nevertheless, the specificity and pathogenicity of autoantibody responses for certain diseases, such as myasthenia gravis, emphasizes their utility in improving diagnosis, classification, and treatment of autoimmune disorders. Id. Because serum autoantibodies often appear long before the onset of clinical symptoms, the ability to detect autoantibodies associated with specific autoimmune disorders quickly and accurately would enable the use of prophylactic treatments earlierin the course of disease, and may eventually permit immunological intervention sufficient to prevent the onset of disease entirely. Scofield, supra.

Myasthenia gravis ("MG") is a neuromuscular disorder caused by immune-mediated loss of acetylcholine receptors at neuromuscular junctions of skeletal muscle. Cotran et al., supra at 1289. Estimates of the incidence of MG in populationsworldwide range from approximately three to more than twenty people per 100,000. Cotran et al., supra; Somnier, "Increasing evidence of late-onset anti-AChR antibody-seropositive myasthenia gravis," Neurol. 65:928-930 (2005). The prevalence of MG inthe United States is estimated at about fourteen cases per 100,000 people, with approximately 36,000 cases diagnosed annually nationwide. Howard, "Myasthenia gravis: a summary."

Early onset myasthenia gravis, defined as arising either before age 40, or before age 50, tends primarily to appear in women, but late onset MG afflicts men and women equally. COTRAN ET AL., supra (noting that MG is most commonly observed inwomen "[w]hen arising before age 40 years"); Somnier, supra ("the dichotomy between early- and late-onset MG was defined at age 50"). Women typically develop the disease between the ages of twenty and forty, while in men, it generally appears betweenthe ages of fifty and sixty, though it sometimes develops earlier, and may develop later in both sexes. COTRAN ET AL., supra.

Clinically, MG typically appears first as occasional muscle weakness in approximately two-thirds of patients, most commonly in the extraocular muscles. Id.; Howard, supra. These initial symptoms eventually worsen, producing drooping eyelids(ptosis) and/or double vision (diplopia), often causing the patient to seek medical attention. Id. Muscle weakness is restricted to the ocular muscles in about 10% of cases. Howard, supra. Eventually, many patients develop general muscular weaknessthat may fluctuate weekly, daily, or even more frequently. Id. Generalized MG often affects muscles that control facial expression, chewing, talking, swallowing, and breathing; before recent advances in treatment, respiratory failure was the mostcommon cause of death. Id. With improved methods of treatment and critical care intervention, however, more than 95% of patients now survive for five years or more after diagnosis. Id. MG is frequently accompanied by thymic hyperplasia, observed inapproximately 65% of patients, or, less commonly by thymoma, observed in about 15% of patients. Id.

Long-term outcome of MG patients has improved with more effective use of cholinesterase inhibitors and improved critical care, but therapies that directly reduce the autoimmune response or modify its effects on acetylcholine receptors and thesurrounding neuromuscular junction may prove more effective in the long term. Richman et al., "Treatment of autoimmune myasthenia gravis," Neurol. 61:1652-1661 (2003). Treatment usually begins with the administration of anticholinesterase agents,including cholinesterase inhibitors. Id. Treatment regimes generally aim to induce immunologic remission with high doses of corticosteroids, frequently in conjunction with intravenous immunoglobulin or plasmapheresis. Id. Maintenance of remission isusually accomplished by gradual tapering of the corticosteroids, coupled with the use of "steroid-sparing" agents, such as azathioprine or mycophenolate. Id. Thymectomy may also be effective in some cases. Id.

MG is characterized by antibodies directed against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) in approximately 80-85% of patients. Richman et al., supra; Roxanis et al., "Thymic myoid cells and germinal center formation in myasthenia gravis;possible roles in pathogenesis," J. Neuroimmunol. 125:185-197 (2002). These antibodies cause loss of acetylcholine receptors and diminished receptor function at the muscle end-plate of the mature neuromuscular junction, which together lead to failureof neuromuscular signal transmission that manifests as the muscle weakness characteristic of generalized MG. Hoch et al., "Auto-antibodies to the receptor tyrosine kinase MsSK in patients with myasthenia gravis without acetylcholine receptorantibodies," Nature Med. 7(3):365-368 (2001). The serum concentration of anti-AChR antibodies varies widely among patients with similar degrees of muscular weakness, and therefore cannot be used to predict severity of the disease in individualpatients. Howard, supra.

Not every patient with symptoms of generalized MG develops anti-AChR antibodies, however. Roxanis et al., supra. In some cases, symptomatic patients lack detectable anti-AChR antibodies until several months after onset of symptoms, or evenlonger. Id. Anti-AChR antibodies are observed more frequently in patients afflicted with generalized MG compared to those suffering only from ocular MG: approximately 74% of those with generalized MG, and 54% of those with ocular MG have detectableanti-AChR antibody in serum. Howard, supra. Another 10-20% of patients suffering from generalized MG never develop detectable anti-AChR antibodies, though as many as 90% of patients lacking anti-AChR antibodies instead have serum auto-antibodiesdirected to a muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase, MuSK. Hoch et al., supra; Roxanis et al., supra. MuSK mediates agrin-induced clustering of AChRs during synapse formation, and is expressed at the mature neuromuscular junction. Hoch et al.,supra.

Thus, there remains a need for additional methods of diagnosing the disease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods for diagnosing the neuromuscular autoimmune disorder myasthenia gravis ("MG"). The invention is based at least in part on the discovery that many patients suffering from early stages of MG haveautoantibodies specific for the 60 kD heat-shock protein ("hsp60") and the 90 kD heat-shock protein ("hsp90"), two proteins not previously associated with the etiology and progression of MG. Accordingly, the invention provides a method of diagnosing MGin a subject comprising obtaining a biological sample from the subject and determining an amount of at least one autoantibody that specifically binds an autoantigen characteristic of MG selected from heat-shock protein 60 (hsp60) (SEQ ID NO:1),heat-shock protein 90, alpha isoform (hsp90.alpha.) (SEQ ID NO:2), and heat-shock protein 90, beta isoform (hsp90.beta.) (SEQ ID NO:3).

An amount of an autoantibody may be determined by a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods. In some embodiments of the invention, an amount of an autoantibody is detected by Western blot. In other embodiments, an amount of anautoantibody is detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

In another aspect, the invention provides a diagnostic kit to implement the method of the invention. The kits of the invention incorporate one or more of the above techniques for determining an amount of at least one autoantibody thatspecifically binds an autoantigen characteristic of MG. In one aspect, the kit includes all reagents required to determine an amount of at least one autoantibody that specifically binds an autoantigen selected from heat-shock protein 60 (hsp60) (SEQ IDNO:1), heat-shock protein 90, alpha isoform (hsp90.alpha.) (SEQ ID NO:2), and heat-shock protein 90, beta isoform (hsp90.beta.) (SEQ ID NO:3).

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of theinvention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows Western blots of cell lysates probed with serum from patients suffering from generalized myasthenia gravis according to the protocol of Example 1, identifying autoantibodies specific for heat-shock protein 60 (hsp60). Positive blotsare indicated with a dot. Samples were taken from female patients with thymic hyperplasia (HF), male patients with thymic hyperplasia (HM), female patients with thymoma (TF), and male patients with thymoma (TM).

FIG. 2 shows Western blots of cell lysates probed with serum from patients suffering from generalized myasthenia gravis according to the protocol of Example 1, identifying autoantibodies specific for heat-shock protein 90 (hsp90). Theseexperiments did not distinguish between the alpha and beta isoforms of hsp90. Positive blots are indicated with a dot. Samples were taken from female patients with thymic hyperplasia (HF), male patients with thymic hyperplasia (HM), female patientswith thymoma (TF), and male patients with thymoma (TM).

FIG. 3 shows the results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) performed with serum from patients with generalized MG identifying hsp60, according to the protocol of Example 2. Bars indicate the mean OD.sub.450 value.

FIG. 4 shows the results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) performed with serum from patients with generalized MG, identifying hsp90, according to the protocol of Example 2. Bars indicate the mean OD.sub.450 value. Theseexperiments did not distinguish between the alpha and beta isoforms of hsp90.

FIG. 5 shows the ability of the diagnostic methods of the invention correctly to categorize patients with MG as test-positive and those without as test-negative. Test-positive patients have autoantibodies that specifically bind hsp60("protein.sub.--1") and/or hsp90 ("protein.sub.--2"), while test-negative patients lack hsp60- and hsp90-specific autoantibodies.

Table 1 shows that patients with stage I or stage IIa MG who lack AChR autoantibodies exhibit hsp60 or hsp90 autoantibodies as measured by ELISAs.

In one aspect, the invention provides methods of diagnosing myasthenia gravis in a subject, comprising obtaining a biological sample from a subject, and determining an amount of at least one autoantibody, wherein the autoantibody specificallybinds at least one protein selected from heat-shock protein 60 (hsp60), heat-shock protein 90, alpha isoform (hsp90.alpha.), and heat-shock protein 90, beta isoform (hsp90.beta.).

"Subject", as used herein, means an animal, including a human or non-human mammal, e.g., a dog, a cat, a mouse, a rat, a cow, a sheep, a pig, a goat, or a non-human primate, and expressly includes laboratory mammals, livestock, and domesticmammals. In some embodiments, the mammal may be a human; in others, the mammal may be a rodent, such as a mouse or a rat.

A biological sample is any biological material collected from cells, tissues, or organs of the subject. The source of the biological sample may vary depending on the particular symptoms present in the subject to be diagnosed. The biologicalsample may be analyzed immediately after it is taken, or stored. If stored, the sample may be equilibrated with an appropriate storage buffer, and kept at 4.degree. C., at -20.degree. C., at -70.degree. C., or even in cryogenic liquids, such asliquid nitrogen or liquid helium. In one embodiment, the biological sample may consist of blood, serum, or plasma. In another embodiment, the biological sample may consist of amniotic fluid or milk. In still another embodiment, the biological samplemay consist of a biopsy or tissue sample, or a cell suspension. In additional embodiments of the invention, the biological sample may consist of saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, sweat, mucus, synovial fluid, lacrimal fluid, or other clinicalspecimens and samples.

The term "specifically binds," or the like, means that two molecules form a complex that is relatively stable under physiologic conditions (e.g., a stable antigen/antibody complex). The term is also applicable where, for example, anantigen-binding domain is specific for a particular epitope, which is found on a number of molecules. Thus, an antibody may specifically bind multiple proteins when it binds to an epitope present in each. Specific binding is characterized by aselective interaction, often including high affinity binding with a low to moderate capacity. Nonspecific binding usually is a less selective interaction, and may have a low affinity with a moderate to high capacity. Typically, binding is consideredspecific when the affinity is at least 10.sup.5 M.sup.-1, 10.sup.6 M.sup.-1, 10.sup.7 M.sup.-1 or 10.sup.8 M.sup.-1. If necessary, non-specific binding can be reduced without substantially affecting specific binding by varying the binding conditions. Such conditions are known in the art, and a skilled artisan using routine techniques can select appropriate conditions. The conditions are usually defined in terms of concentration of antibodies, ionic strength of the solution, temperature, time allowedfor binding, concentration of non-related molecules (e.g., blocking agents such as serum albumin, milk casein), and so forth. See, e.g., Morgan et al., "The Matrix Effects on Kinetic Rate Constants of Antibody-Antigen Interactions Reflect SolventViscosity," J. Immunol. Meth. 217:51-60 (1998); and Zhuang et al., "Measurement of Association Rate Constant of Antibody-Antigen Interaction in Solution Based on Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay," J. Biosci. Bioeng. 92(4):330-336 (2001).

A. Detection of Autoantibodies

Determining an amount of an autoantibody according to the methods of the invention encompasses both qualitative and quantitative methods of detection. A qualitative method of detection simply determines whether a particular autoantibody ispresent in a biological sample. A quantitative method of detection determines both whether a particular autoantibody is present in a biological sample, and in what quantity. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of detection are well known in theart. Such methods include Western blotting, immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays ("ELISA"), and other comparable techniques.

1. Western Blotting

Western blotting begins with an electrophoresis step, where proteins of interest are separated on the basis of size and charge by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by transfer of the proteins from the gel to a charged membrane. Afterthe transfer is completed, hybridization begins with a blocking step wherein all unreacted binding sites on the membrane are blocked to suppress nonspecific adsorption of antibodies, continues with a primary antibody incubation to bind a target antigenor antigens, and ends with a secondary antibody incubation wherein the antigen-antibody complex formed during the primary incubation is detected by radiographic, chromogenic, or chemiluminescent means. The secondary antibody is generally specific forthe constant region ("Fc") common to all immunoglobulin protein isotypes. Secondary antibody may be obtained from a variety of mammalian sources, including, but not limited to, rabbit, sheep, goat, mouse, and rat.

To determine an amount of an autoantibody specific for an autoantigen characteristic of MG by Western blotting, purified or recombinant preparations of one or more of the autoantigens characteristic of MG are first subjected to sodiumdodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), according to standard methods well-known in the art. See, e.g., SAMBROOK ET AL., 3 MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL A8.40-A8.45 (2001) (describing various reagents and methods forelectrophoresis of proteins by SDS-PAGE). The contents of the gel are then transferred to nitrocellulose, nylon, PVDF, or other membrane or filter suitable for fixation and Western blotting by standard methods equally well-known in the art. Thetransfer may be by immersion, semi-dry blotting, or by other comparable methods known in the art.

Alternatively, purified or recombinant preparations of one or more of the autoantigens may be spotted directly on nitrocellulose, nylon, polyvinylidene fluoride ("PVDF"), or other filter or membrane suitable for fixation and Western blotting. Ifpurified or recombinant preparations of the desired autoantigens are not available, the autoantigens may be supplied in cell lysates or tissue homogenates prepared with standard methods known in the art.

Next, the filters or membranes are fixed to prevent loss of the target proteins during the several hybridization, washing, and staining steps comprising Western blotting. Fixation may be accomplished by heat, cross-linking with ultravioletlight, or by other comparable methods known in the art. See, e.g., SAMBROOK ET AL., 3 MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL A8.52-A8.55 (describing various reagents and methods for immunoblotting and detection of antigen/antibody complexes).

Non-specific antibody binding sites on the fixed filter or membrane are blocked with buffered solutions (e.g., phosphate-buffered saline ("PBS") or the like) containing a blocking agent such as, for example, 0.5% (w/v) low-fat dry milk or 5%(w/v) bovine serum albumin ("BSA"). After blocking, the filter or membrane then undergoes the primary antibody incubation, during which it is incubated with a biological sample from a subject to be diagnosed for an autoimmune disorder.

After the primary antibody incubation, the filter or membrane is washed, and the presence of autoantibody-autoantigen complexes detected using a secondary antibody labeled with chromogenic, fluorogenic, or chemiluminescent means. Autoantibody-autoantigen complexes are then detected calorimetrically (e.g., with horseradish peroxidase and TMB), or by autoradiography (e.g., alkaline phosphatase). If detected colorimetrically, or by chemiluminescence, the amount of color orfluorescence may be measured using a luminometer, a spectrophotometer, or other similar instruments. If detected autoradiographically, the amount of bound antibody may be measured from the exposed x-ray film using a densitometer, or similar instrument. See, e.g., SAMBROOK ET AL., 3 MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL A8.52-A8.55 (describing various reagents and methods for immunoblotting and detection of antigen/antibody complexes).

Secondary antibodies used in qualitative or quantitative methods of detection, whether polyclonal or monoclonal, may be labeled with a ligand (such as biotin) or a detectable marker (such as a fluorescent group or an enzyme) using conventionaltechniques. Suitable labels include fluorophores, chromophores, electron-dense reagents (e.g., silver or gold), enzymes, and ligands having specific binding partners. Enzymes such as horseradish peroxidase or alkaline phosphatase are typically detectedby their activity. For example, horseradish peroxidase can be detected by its ability to convert tetramethylbenzidine ("TMB") to a blue pigment, quantifiable with a spectrophotometer. Other suitable ligands and/or detectable markers include biotin andavidin or streptavidin, IgG and protein A, and the numerous additional receptor-ligand couples known in the art. Other permutations and possibilities will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are considered as equivalentswithin the scope of the instant invention.

In one embodiment of the invention, an amount of at least one autoantibody which specifically binds an autoantigen selected from heat-shock protein 60 (hsp60), heat-shock protein 90, alpha isoform (hsp90.alpha.), and heat-shock protein 90, betaisoform (hsp90.beta.) is determined by Western blotting.

There are many common variations on the standard Western blotting protocol, including Far Western blots, as well as quantitative blotting methods and numerous others. One of ordinary skill in the art will select the appropriate protocol to use,depending on the autoantibody to be detected, the autoantigen to be used, the source of autoantigen and/or primary autoantibody used in the assay, and any other relevant experimental parameters. These and many other permutations and possibilities willbe readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are considered as equivalents within the scope of the instant invention.

2. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ("ELISA")

Some ELISA methods are qualitative, used to measure simply the presence or absence of a particular antigen or antibody, while others are quantitative, permitting accurate measurement of antigen or antibody concentration. Because they are easy toperform and readily automated, ELISAs are commonly used to screen large numbers of antibodies or antigens for a particular binding specificity.

An ELISA begins with an antigen adsorption step, where the target antigen or antigens are adsorbed to the wells of a microtiter plate. See, e.g., Kirkegaard & Perry Laboratories, Inc., Technical Guide for ELISA 9-13 (2003) (discussing types ofmicrotiter plates for use in ELISAs, as well as methods and reagents for adsorbing proteins to such plates). The most commonly used adsorption buffers for antibodies are 50 mM Carbonate, pH-9.6; 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH-8.5; and 10 mM PBS, pH=7.2. Thesebuffers work well for many proteins. If the target antigen or antigens are not readily adsorbed to the surface of the microtiter plate, plates with surfaces modified or derivatized to permit covalent linkage of proteins to their surface by a variety ofchemical means are widely available from commercial suppliers. Time and temperature are the most important factors affecting the amount of protein adsorbed.

Once the wells of a microtiter plate are coated with the desired antigen or antigens, they are washed with a blocking buffer to block non-specific antibody binding and to minimize false positive results. See, e.g., id. at 13-14 (discussingmethods and reagents for blocking microtiter plates). Commonly used blocking agents are either protein solutions, such as BSA (typically used at concentrations between 1% and 5% (w/v) in PBS, pH=7.0), non-fat dry milk, casein (the main protein componentof non-fat dry milk) or caseinate (a more soluble version of casein, produced by partial digestion with sodium hydroxide), normal serum (typically used at concentrations between 1% and 5% (v/v)), and gelatin (normally used at concentrations between 1%and 5% (w/v)), or non-ionic detergents, such as Tween-20.TM. and Triton X-100.TM..

Commonly used washing reagents are selected for their ability to disrupt low affinity interactions between various reaction components that can affect the ability to detect specific antigen-antibody interactions. See, e.g., id. at 14-15(discussing methods and reagents for washing microtiter plates). Wash solutions commonly contain a physiological buffer to prevent denaturation of antigens and their cognate antibodies, and to preserve enzyme activity. Buffers such as PBS, Tris-saline,or imidizole-buffered saline at neutral pH are widely used. Specific buffers are typically selected based on the method of detection to be employed in a particular assay. Wash buffers should also include non-ionic detergents such as Tween-20.TM.,Triton X-100.TM. or the like, at concentrations of between 0.01% to 0.05% (v/v), in order to disrupt low-affinity, non-specific interactions between reaction components.

After the blocking step, the wells of the microtiter plate are washed, the adsorbed antigen then undergoes the primary antibody incubation, during which it is incubated with a biological sample from a subject to be diagnosed for an autoimmunedisorder. After the primary antibody incubation, the wells are washed, and the presence of autoantibody-autoantigen complexes detected using a secondary antibody labeled with chromogenic (e.g., with horseradish peroxidase and TMB), fluorescent orchemiluminescent (e.g., alkaline phosphatase) means. See, e.g., id. at 15-21 (discussing antibody preparation and use, as well as commonly used detection molecules). The amount of color or fluorescence may be measured using a luminometer, aspectrophotometer, or other similar instruments.

There are many common variations on the standard ELISA protocol, including competitive ELISA, sandwich ELISA, and numerous others. One of ordinary skill in the art will select the appropriate protocol to use, depending on the antibody to bedetected, the antigen to be used, the source of antigen and/or primary antibody used in the assay, and any other relevant experimental parameters. These and many other permutations and possibilities will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art, and are considered as equivalents within the scope of the instant invention.

B. Clinical Forms of Myasthenia Gravis

Adult myasthenic patients have been divided into four groups, as classified by Osserman and Genkins. Osserman, K. E. and Genkins, G., "Studies in myasthenia gravis: review of a twenty-year experience in over 1200 patients," Mt. Sinai J. Med. 38(6):497-537 (1971); Tuen, C., "Myasthenia Gravis." Approximately 20% of patients are diagnosed with Type I MG, 30% with Type IIA, 20% with Type IIB, 11% with Type III, and 9% with Type IV. The remaining 10% of cases are typically pediatric in origin. Osserman and Genkins, supra, at 502.

In Type I MG, or ocular MG, symptoms are generally confined to ocular muscles of one or both eyes. It is characterized by ptosis and diplopia, but if symptoms do not spread to other muscle groups within two years, this form of MG usually remainsnon-progressive. Only 55% of patients with this type of MG have autoantibodies specific for AChR. Osserman, K. E. and Genkins, G., supra at 501; Tuen, C., "Myasthenia Gravis."

In Type IIa MG, or mild, generalized MG, symptoms tend to develop slowly, sometimes beginning with the ocular muscles, but gradually spread to the skeletal and bulbar musculature. Respiratory muscles are usually not affected. About 80% ofpatients with MG of this type have autoantibodies specific for AChR. In Type IIb MG, or moderate, generalized MG, symptoms again develop slowly, frequently beginning with the ocular muscles, and gradually spread to skeletal and bulbar musculature. Thesymptoms are typically more severe than in patients with Type IIA MG, but again, the respiratory muscles are usually spared. Osserman, K. E. and Genkins, G., supra at 501-02; Tuen, C., "Myasthenia Gravis."

In Type III MG, or acute, fulminating MG, the disease is moderately severe or acute, with rapid onset of symptoms in skeletal and bulbar muscles, and early involvement of respiratory muscles. Patients with Type III MG frequently developthymomas. Disease progression is usually complete within six months. Mortality is high in patients with Type III MG. Essentially 100% of patients with MG of this type have autoantibodies specific for AChR. Osserman, K. E. and Genkins, G., supra at502; Tuen, C., "Myasthenia Gravis."

In Type IV MG, or late, severe MG, the disease becomes chronic and severe, typically more than two years after onset of Type I or II-like symptoms. Approximately 89% of patients with this type of MG have autoantibodies specific for AChR. Osserman, K. E. and Genkins, G., supra at 502; Tuen, C., "Myasthenia Gravis."

At least two types of thymic pathology are regularly observed in patients with MG. About 50% of patients display some degree of thymic hyperplasia. Approximately 15% of patients eventually develop thymoma. In some cases, MG may be treatedsuccessfully by thymectomy, which results in sustained improvement of symptoms in more than 50% of patients, though it is less effective in older patients. Osserman, K. E. and Genkins, G., supra at 515-23.

C. Autoantigens Associated with Myasthenia Gravis

Candidate autoantigens associated with particular autoimmune disorders may be identified by a variety of methods, including, for example, the method described in U.S. Patent Publication No. US-2005/0124076-A1, published on Jun. 9, 2005, whichis incorporated herein by reference. According to this method, serum antibodies are purified from serum samples obtained from healthy individuals and from individuals afflicted with an autoimmune disorder of interest, such as MG. The purifiedimmunoglobulins are covalently attached to a chromatographic medium and used to make an affinity column. A protein sample isolated from a subject having MG, for example, taken from an organ, tissue, or cell type involved in the etiology or progressionof the disease, is then analyzed.

For example, to identify candidate autoantigens associated with MG, a protein sample from the muscle end-plate of a mature neuromuscular junction, at which the immune-mediated loss of acetylcholine receptors characteristic of MG occurs, might beused. First, the protein sample would be passed over the column containing immunoglobulins isolated from a healthy individual. The unbound proteins are then passed over the column containing immunoglobulins isolated from a patient suffering from MG. All proteins bound to the second column are candidate autoantigens that are then eluted from the column and used in further analysis, such as, for example, mass spectrometry, to identify each isolated protein.

By this method, hsp60 and hsp90 were identified as two novel candidate autoantigens in patients with MG. ELISA data demonstrated that patients with early stage MG (defined as stage I or stage IIa) lacking autoantibodies that specifically bindthe AChR have autoantibodies that specifically bind hsp60 and hsp90. Thus assaying for the presence of such autoantibodies provides a novel method of diagnosing MG, particularly in patients at early stages of the disease who lack autoantibodies forAChR, the autoantigen most commonly associated with the disease (see, e.g., FIG. 5).

Candidate autoantigens may also be identified by other methods, such as screening cDNA expression libraries, or by subtractive phage display. To identify possible autoantigens by these methods, phage display or other protein expression librariesare constructed using mRNA isolated from an organ, tissue, or cell type involved in the etiology or progression of MG (e.g., the muscle end-plate of a mature neuromuscular junction). Such libraries are then screened with immunoglobulins purified fromserum samples obtained from individuals suffering from the autoimmune disorder of interest, and the results compared to those obtained using immunoglobulins purified from serum samples obtained from healthy individuals.

There are many additional variations on the standard autoantigen screening protocols, in addition to those presented above. One of ordinary skill in the art will select the appropriate protocol to use, depending on the autoimmune disease beingstudied, the source of the biological sample to be screened for candidate autoantigens, and any other relevant experimental parameters. These and many other permutations and possibilities will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art,and are considered as equivalents within the scope of the instant invention.

1. Heat-Shock Proteins

Organisms respond to sudden increases in temperature or other forms of environmental stress by synthesizing a small set of evolutionarily conserved proteins called heat-shock proteins. Both the nature of the heat-shock response and the aminoacid sequences of the various heat-shock protein family members are highly-conserved throughout evolution. For example, prokaryotic and eukaryotic heat-shock protein 70 (hsp70) are approximately 50% identical at the amino acid level. Parsell et al.,"The function of heat-shock proteins in stress tolerance: degradation and reactivation of damaged proteins," Ann. Rev. Genet. 27:437-496 (1993). Individual members of the heat-shock protein family play different roles in protecting organisms fromenvironmental stresses.

a. The 60 kD Heat-Shock Protein

The 60 kD heat-shock protein ("hsp60") is found primarily in the mitochondrial matrix, where it accounts for approximately 1% of all mitochondrial matrix protein. Parsell et al., supra at 465. Human hsp60 (SEQ ID NO:1) shares approximately 60%amino acid sequence identity with its E. coli homolog, GroEL. Id. Both proteins share a common oligomeric structure, consisting of a single, seven-membered ring, but sometimes observed as a "double doughnut" of two seven-membered rings. Id. Hsp60 hasan ATPase activity that increases with increasing temperature; the binding of ATP induces a significant conformational change in structure of the oligomer. Id.

Unlike some other heat-shock protein family members, hsp60 functions at normal temperatures. Id. at 465-66. It is essential for growth at all temperatures Id. Hsp60 binds unfolded or denatured proteins with high affinity and promotes theirproper folding. Id. Denatured substrates begin to acquire elements of secondary structure while bound to hsp60, though formation of more complex structural elements is inhibited. Id.

b. The 90 kD Heat-Shock Protein

The 90 kD heat-shock protein ("hsp90") has been found in the cytoplasm and nucleus of all eukaryotes examined so far, though no organellar species have yet been identified. Parsell et al., supra at 470. There are two major cytoplasmic isoformsof hsp90: hsp90.alpha., the inducible, major form (SEQ ID NO:2); and hsp90.mu., the constitutively expressed, minor form (SEQ ID NO:3). Sreedhar et al., "Hsp90 isoforms: functions, expression and clinical importance," FEBS Letters 562:11-15 (2004). Biochemical separation of the .alpha. and .beta. isoforms is difficult, and so most experiments investigating the biological role of hsp90 have been performed using a mixture of both. Id.

Human hsp90.alpha. shares approximately 40% amino acid sequence identity with its E. coli homolog, HtpG. Parsell, supra. HtpG is moderately abundant at normal temperatures, and strongly induced by heat, but is not essential: deletion of thegene encoding it has no effect on growth at normal temperatures, and little effect at high temperatures. Id. In contrast, hsp90 is one of the most abundant proteins in eukaryotic cells, comprising 1-2% of total cellular protein under non-stressconditions. Deletion of the hsp90 gene in a eukaryote is lethal, suggesting that eukaryotic hsp90 has acquired a novel, essential function not present in its prokaryotic homolog. Sreedhar et al., supra; Parsell et al., supra.

Hsp90 interacts with many other cellular proteins, including casein kinase II, heme-regulated elF-2.alpha. kinase, various steroid hormone receptors, including estrogen, progesterone, androgen, glucocorticoid, and dioxin receptors, oncogenictyrosine kinases of the src family, calmodulin, actin, and tubulin. Parsell et al., supra at 471. Experiments suggest that hsp90 plays a variety of roles in cell differentiation and development, ranging from regulation of muscle development to theregulation of early embryonic development and programmed cell death, or apoptosis. Sreedhar et al., supra, at 12. In addition, some evidence suggests that hsp90 expression is associated with several types of tumors, including pancreatic and breast, andwith leukemia. Id. at 13. In addition, elevated transcription of hsp90.beta. is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disorder characterized by autoantibodies directed to spliceosomal snRNP, Ro/La ribonuclear particle, histones,and/or native DNA. Id.

II. Kits for Diagnosing Autoimmune Disorders

The methods of the invention may be implemented in a diagnostic kit that incorporates one or more of the above techniques to detect autoantibodies that specifically bind at least one autoantigen characteristic of myasthenia gravis. For example,in one embodiment, the kit assays an amount of said autoantibody by Western blotting. In one aspect, the kit comprises multiple test strips on which aliquots of each of the two novel autoantigens of the invention, hsp60 and hsp90.alpha./hsp90.beta.,have been fixed.

In this embodiment, the kit further comprises control antibodies specific for each autoantigen, secondary antibodies directly or indirectly conjugated with horseradish peroxidase or any other agent that aids in the visualization of theautoantigen-autoantibody complex, and all necessary tubes, containers or reaction vessels, buffers and reagents required to perform the various blocking, washing, hybridization, and detection steps of a Western blot. The control antibody proteins can beprovided in an appropriate buffer or solvent, or as a lyophilized powder. Similarly, the buffers and other reagents may be provided premixed, or in dry form that must be reconstituted by the user of the kit. Such a kit may contain other components,packaging, instructions, or other material to aid in the detection of autoantibodies.

In another embodiment, the kit assays an amount of said autoantibody by ELISA. In one aspect, the kit comprises multiple microtiter plates coated with each of the two novel autoantigens of the invention, hsp60 and hsp90.alpha./hsp90.beta..

In this embodiment, the kit further comprises control antibodies specific for each autoantigen, secondary antibodies directly or indirectly conjugated with horseradish peroxidase or any other agent that aids in the visualization of theautoantigen-autoantibody complex, and all necessary tubes, containers or reaction vessels, buffers and reagents required to perform the various blocking, washing, hybridization, and detection steps of an ELISA. The control antibody proteins can beprovided in an appropriate buffer or solvent, or as a lyophilized powder. Similarly, the buffers and other reagents may be provided premixed, or in dry form that must be reconstituted by the user of the kit. Such a kit may contain other components,packaging, instructions, or other material to aid the detection of the autoantibodies.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Identification of Autoantibodies by Western Blot

Serum samples were obtained from 209 myasthenia gravis patients at Shin-Kong Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China. The patients were divided into four groups based on their thymic pathology: thirty-seven patients displayed some degree of thymicatrophy; one hundred twenty-one patients had developed thymoma; forty patients displayed some degree of thymic hyperplasia; and eleven patients had an unknown thymic pathology. Seventy-six patients had Type I MG; eighty-one had Type IIa; thirty-eighthad Type IIb, and fourteen patients had either Type III or Type IV MG. Negative controls used serum samples taken from fifty-four patients at Taichung Veterans General Hospital, all suffering from the unrelated disorder membranous glomerulonephritis(MGN), which is not autoimmune in origin.

HepG2/C3A cell lysates were separated on 10% SDS-PAGE gels loaded with 20 .mu.g per lane of cell extract and 2 .mu.g per lane of hsp60 or hsp90 protein. The samples were electrophoresed at 80V in the stacking gel and at 120V in the resolvinggel. Fractionated proteins were transferred to PVDF using a TE70 Series Semi-dry Transfer Unit (Amersham Bioscience), according to the manufacturer's instructions. The transfer buffer was Towbin Buffer (1.times. is 25 mM Tris-HCl, pH=8.30, 192 mMglycine, and 20% (v/v) methanol).

The PVDF membranes were blocked in 5% (w/v) powdered non-fat milk in PBST buffer (80 mM Na.sub.2HPO.sub.4, 20 mM NaH.sub.2PO.sub.4, 100 mM NaCl, 0.05%-0.1% (v/v) Tween-20) for 1 hour at room temperature, or overnight at 4.degree. C. The blockedmembranes were then incubated in 5% (w/v) powdered non-fat milk in PBST buffer containing a 1:1000 dilution of patient serum for one hour at room temperature. Following incubation with the primary antibody, the membranes were washed with PBST. Themembranes were then incubated for one hour at room temperature with the secondary antibody, an anti-human IgG labeled with horseradish peroxidase diluted 1:5000 in 5% (w/v) powdered non-fat milk in PBST buffer. The secondary antibody was horseradishperoxidase-conjugated mouse anti-human IgG specific for Fc.gamma. (Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc.), purchased from Biosource International, of Camarillo, Calif., USA. Autoantibody binding to immobilized antigens was detected by enzyme-linkedchemiluminescence using the ECL blotting substrate of Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The results of these experiments are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Samples were taken from female patients with thymic hyperplasia (HF), male patients with thymic hyperplasia (HM), female patients with thymoma (TF), and male patients with thymoma(TM). Samples positive for autoantibodies specific for hsp60 or hsp90 are indicated by a dot. These experiments demonstrate that many patients at later stages of MG have autoantibodies specific for hsp60 and hsp90.

Aliquots of the serum samples described in Example 1 above, were further evaluated by ELISA. Microwell ELISA plates (Corning Life Sciences, New York, N.Y., USA) were coated overnight at 4.degree. C. with 0.2 .mu.g of recombinant human hsp60(purified from E. coli) or hsp90 (purified from S. cerevisiae) in 0.1 M NaHCO.sub.3, pH 8.6. Both recombinant heat-shock proteins were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Co. The coated plates were then washed with PBS three times for one minute each, andthen incubated with 200 .mu.l of blocking solution (5 mg/ml bovine serum albumin ("BSA") in PBST) at 37.degree. C. for 1 hour. Each well was washed with PBST six times for one minute each. Next, the plates were incubated with patient serum dilutedfrom 1:100 to 1:800 in blocking solution for 1 hour and 30 minutes at 37.degree. C. After incubation with the primary antibody, the plates were again washed six times for one minute each with blocking solution, and then incubated with the secondaryantibody, horseradish peroxidase-conjugated mouse anti-human IgG specific for Fc.gamma. (Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc.) diluted 1:10,000 in PBST+5 mg/ml BSA, at room temperature for 1 hour. The plates were again washed six times with PBST+5mg/ml BSA at room temperature, and developed by the addition of 100 .mu.l of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine ("TMB") solution, prepared in 50 mM citrate phosphate. After the addition of the TMB solution, the plates were incubated for thirty minutes atroom temperature, and then absorbance was measured at 450 nm with an MRX Microplate Reader (Dynex Technologies) according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The results of these experiments are shown in FIGS. 3 (hsp60) and 4 (hsp90), which compare ELISA results from the control group to those from the MG group, which included patients at all stages of the disease. The average absorbance at 450 nm isindicated by a horizontal line. These experiments did not distinguish between the alpha and beta isoforms of hsp90. The data shows that patients at all stages of MG have autoantibodies specific for hsp60 and hsp90.

Table 1 shows that MG may be accurately diagnosed in patients with Type I or IIa MG that lack AChR autoantibodies by assaying for the presence of autoantibodies that specifically bind hsp60 or hsp90. Autoantibodies specific for hsp60 and hsp90were assayed by ELISA in forty patients: twenty-four diagnosed with Type I MG and sixteen diagnosed with Type IIa MG. Assays were performed with the protocol described in Example 2. Absorbance readings were converted to protein concentrations bystandard methods. The cutoff points were: (1) 0.2 nmol/L (AChR); (2) OD.sub.0.450=0.375 (hsp60); and (3) OD.sub.450=0.232 (hsp90). All forty patients lacked detectable AChR autoantibodies (columns labeled "AChR"). Twenty-eight patients had measurablelevels of hsp60 autoantibodies (18 of 24 with Type I; 10 of 16 with Type IIa; columns labeled "Hsp60"). Thirty-three patients had measurable levels of hsp90 autoantibodies (21 of 24 with type I; 12 of 16 with type IIa; columns labeled "Hsp90").

FIG. 5 shows that the methods of the invention provide for "sensitive" and "specific" diagnosis of MG. "Sensitivity" measures the percentage of patients diagnosed with MG who tested positive for autoantibodies that specifically bind either hsp60("Protein.sub.--1") or hsp90 ("Protein.sub.--2"). HENNEKENS ET AL., EPIDEMIOLOGY IN MEDICINE 331-335 (1ST ED. 1987). "Specificity" measures the percentage of patients who did not have MG who tested negative for either hsp60 ("Protein.sub.--1") orhsp90 ("Protein.sub.--2") autoantibodies. Id. This experiment demonstrates that, of patients diagnosed with ocular (Type I) or mild, generalized (Type IIa) MG lacking autoantibodies that specifically bind the AChR, 76% have autoantibodies thatspecifically bind hsp60 and 86% have autoantibodies that specifically bind hsp90. In addition, 91% of patients without MG tested negative for hsp60 autoantibodies, and 86% of patients without MG tested negative for hsp90 autoantibodies.

Table 2 shows that assaying for autoantibodies that specifically bind hsp60, hsp90, hsp60+hsp90, AChR+hsp60, or AChR+hsp90, provides a more sensitive method of identifying patients with stage I (ocular) MG than by assaying for autoantibodiesspecific for AChR alone. The data summarized in Table 2 was obtained from seventy-three patients with stage I MG using the ELISA assay and cutoff values as discussed above for Table 1.

Thus assaying for the presence of hsp60 and/or hsp90 autoantibodies provides a novel, sensitive, and specific method of diagnosing MG, particularly in patients at early stages of the disease lacking autoantibodies for AChR, the clinical markermost commonly associated with the disease.

The specification is most thoroughly understood in light of the teachings of the references cited within the specification. The embodiments within the specification provide an illustration of embodiments of the invention and should not beconstrued to limit the scope of the invention. The skilled artisan readily recognizes that many other embodiments are encompassed by the invention. All publications and patents cited in this disclosure are incorporated by reference in their entirety. To the extent that any general dictionary, technical dictionary, or the material incorporated by reference contradicts or is inconsistent with this specification, the specification will supersede any such material. The citation of any references hereinis not an admission that such references are prior art to the present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification, including claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Accordingly,unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters are approximations and may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the applicationof the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of significant digits and ordinary rounding approaches.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term "at least" preceding a series of elements is to be understood to refer to every element in the series. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routineexperimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.